Explosive



Patented Nov. 20,1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK H. IBERGEIM, F WOODBUBY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO E. I. DU PON'I. DE NEMOURS & COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWAIBE, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE.

No Drawing.

This invention relates to explosives and particularly relates to a process of producing an explosive compound comprising a branched chain hydrocarbon to which are attached two nitrate (ONO groups and one nitro (NO group, to the product thereof, and to an explosive containing such product. The major objects of the invention are the provision of such a process, product, and explosive.

In detail the invention relates to nitroisobutyl glycol dinitrate,

1 a new explosive oil with properties closely resembling those of nitroglycerine and nitroisobutyl glycerine. Nitroisobutyl glycol has the advantage over nitroisobutyl glycerine of being much less viscous and hence much easier to handle in the nitrating and separating equipment. In the case of the new compound the tendency to form a permanent emulsion, in the process of washing with dilute alkali, is much less pronounced than in the case of nitroisobutyl glycerine, thus making purification and stabilization easier than in the case of the latter explosive.

I am aware that explosives containing in one compound a combination of nitro and nitrate groups have been known for some time. Nitroisobutyl glycerine trinitrate,

no cwu ouog first prepared by Hofwimmer (Zeit. f.

Schiess. und Spreng. 1912, p. 43) is an example of this type of explosive. Its preparation involves the nitration of a trihydroxy alcohol containing a nitro group. I have found that a glycol containing a nitro group may be nitrated with mixed acid in a similar manner to give an explosive of great strength. I prefer to use nitroisobutyl glycol 011 c (N02) (0H),.

45 As an example of the invention, but not in restriction thereof, I give the following for the production of nitroisobutyl glycol dinitrate:-Add nitroisobutyl glycol to a mixed acid of approximately 40% nitric acid and sulfuric acid (by weight) nxrnosrvn. Application filed April 15, 1927. Serial No. 184,181.

keeping the temperature at 5 to 10 C. The exploslve separates readily on the surface of the waste ac d as an oil and is then drawn off and neutralized. in the usual manner, using a dilute alkaline solution. The explo- 55 s ve thus prepared' is an oil having a specific gravity of about 1.5. A nitrometer determination for nitrate nitrogen in the exploslve gives a value very near to the theoretlcal for nitroisobutyl glycol dinitrate m (12.45% N).

Although nitroisobutyl glycol is particularly referred to in the above example, it is to be understood that other branched chain hydrocarbons may be used, for instance,'nig5 troisoamyl glycol onion OHlCHa- -NOz Hr-OH or 1, 2, 3, trimethyl 2 nitro propane diol 1-3 our-011011 cm- HOH Parts b ei N itroisobutyl glycol dinitrate SLY l 5 Glycerine trinltrate 15 Sodium nitrate v56 Wood meal 13 Chalk 1 The new explosive compound may be used wholly or in part as a substitute for such ex- I plosives as tetranitrodiglycerine, nitroglycol, glycerine chlorhydrin dinitrate or nitro sugars. It may also be used in conjunction with nitrocellulose to form a gelatinized explosive, or with various oxidizing salts such r as potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, or branched chain glycol nitrate ester to which ammomum perchlorate to make a dynamite. is attached a nitro group.

I may also use an of the recognized carbo- 3. An explosive compound comprising a naceous combustib es in carrying out my inbranched chain glycol dinitrate ester to which 5 vention. is attached 9. nitro group. 18

I claim: 4. As a new chemical compound, nitroiso 1. An explosive compound comprising a, butyl glycol dinitrate. branchedchain hydrocarbon to which is at- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. tached a nitro group and two nitrate groups. I 10 2. An explosive compound comprising a FRANK H. BERGEIM. 

